FIBA Cheerleaders benched during World Basketball Championships because of Muslim practice

APFIBA cheerleaders, the Red Foxes, from Ukraine perform with the Turkish (right) and the Greek flags during a time out of the World Basketball Championship preliminary round match between Ivory Coast and Greece in Ankara, Wednesday.

The
Red Foxes have been told to stop performing in games involving the host
country because their risque costumes and routines are offensive to the
nation that is nearly entirely Muslim.

Islam prohibits women from
exposing their skin in public.

Basketball's
governing body said Wednesday the ban was not its decision. Secretary
general Patrick Baumann said he wants entertainment to be part of the
games, but "if it needs a little bit of adjustment that is fine with
us."

Performers wore long pants Wednesday
during a game between the United States and Iran. Iranian officials had
turned their backs when the dancers, who usually wear tiny shorts or
skirts, performed in earlier games.

The Red Foxes, a professional dance team from the Ukraine, will still perform at other games in Ankara.

"The
dancers bring much fun and joy to fans watching games and help to
create a vibrant, happy atmosphere in the arenas," Baumann said.

FIBA's
statement did not include who imposed the ban or the reason for it,
though said there was speculation that the dance routines were "too
risque." It added that Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan, his wife
and the country's minister for foreign affairs attended Turkey's
victories over Russia on Sunday and Greece on Tuesday.

"It
is a balance between respecting the culture and making sure basketball
delivers all the pace, excitement and entertainment that goes with the
world championship," Baumann said.